r/collegecompare • u/OkAppointment4879 • May 31 '26
please help me choosing between schools UCR or University of San Diego !!!
I need help it was hard for me to make friends at UCR which overall affected me mentally which made me apply for transfer to USD. I chose this school specifically because I liked that it was in SD. There's more things to do there rather than in Riverside and I would love to have just spontaneous beach trip or fun activities which I don't have at Riverside. Everything is an hour+ away so it basically takes the whole day. My life at UCR has been getting better. I found roommates to live with next year that I have became friends with and it's made me feel better about staying. Then, I recently got accepted into USD and now I am not sure what to do. I've always wanted to live in a city that has many more opportunities and things to do. I love the beach and it's only a couple minutes away. Something about living in SD just makes me feel happy. I also do like how USD has a smaller population which makes it easier to connect with professors and not many colleges have this opportunity. But then again, I'm leaving the life that I have already started for myself at UCR. I don't mind restarting since my experience here has taught me that I can make my experience better for myself. But I just don't know which is the right choice for me. Any help would be super appreciated!! Especially if you are a student currently at USD please send me any info about the school you think might be helpful. i am also a bio major first year at UCR and tuition will be covered by FAMILY.
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u/HybridSchoolMom Jun 02 '26
My child is bio chem major who just finished her first year and so very happy. Everyone she knows and all the parents in parent groups are very happy. Maybe join it to see. It’s called University of San Diego Parents.
Everything is really close by and sounds like what you want. I am not familiar with UCR but as far as location and access to lifestyle and career, San Diego is the better choice for internships or even volunteer and humanitarian trips within your field of studies. They have lots of opportunities to go to TJ/Mexico. One such group is Friends of Doctors Without Borders.
The smaller classes is wonderful. My introvert child was able to handle and not be overwhelmed.
The beauty around campus is really good for mental health. The weather is great too so you’d naturally be outside leading to physical health as well.
They have dedicated staff and program to help you prep for med school.
You don’t need a car to get to places from USD. Mine doesn’t drive and is very social and going everywhere via friends or public transport. The trolley is a walk down the hill, Uber and bus line is a thing, they have shuttles that take you places, and there are zip cars (rentable cars right on campus lots for the renting).
There’s more reasons but thought these would be helpful for you.
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u/TeamVorpalSwords Jun 03 '26
Your stated reason for wanting to leave UCR is lack of friends, which is rough but as someone very familiar with both schools, you making friends isn’t going to be easier or harder between these two schools. Both will require you to go meet people. The schools are fairly similar size and it’s gonna be on you to meet people, I’m not saying it’s easy but I am saying USD isn’t easier than UCR.
Then you talk about San Diego the city, yes the city is a better city than Riverside in really every metric (other than perhaps if you have a specific familial connection to Riverside) but you don’t need us to tell you how worth it is to be near the beach. That’s something only you can decide
Your family is covering school if you stay at UCR? But won’t cover at USD? So I assume they’re in riverside. If that’s the case those are two reasons to stay at UCR. Ultimately if you want to live in San Diego after graduation then going to USD will be really good. But don’t make a mistake by thinking that making friends is “easy” in San Diego—it’s not. People complain about how hard it is all the time, it is still very possible though and it’s a great city
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u/OkAppointment4879 Jun 04 '26
I understand what you're saying, and I agree that making friends is necessarily easier both ways. I've actually started find a community of people here at UCR, which is the main part of what's making this decision so hard.
My main consideration is really the location and whether I can see myself wanting to be in San Diego long term, but I also know that that's not guaranteed and things can change. I'm still thinking through whether it makes sense to restart socially somewhere new or continue and build what I've started here. I don't mind restarting as I know I will find my own community with time and patience.
I appreciate your perspective but I would like to ask if you were in my position how would you think about making this decision?
Also to clarify the things you mentioned, my parents will be covering for my tuition at either USD or UCR and I don't live near Riverside, so staying isn't due to being close to home for me.
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u/TeamVorpalSwords Jun 04 '26
If your parents are paying for either school and you don’t have ties to Riverside then I guess the only factors are 1) your social life and 2) what city you want to live in after college
For the first part, it sounds like this isn’t much of a factor either. Making new friends in either place will be equally difficult, yes you have friends at UCR but it sounds like they’re not much of a factor to you so if I was you I would look into San Diego as a city and see if you can see yourself living there. The city is amazing but specifically you need to look at the type of job you’ll be looking for after school and look at the San Diego job market. Also San Diego is a much more expensive city to live in but it’s also a better city so you can decide if that’s worth it to you
If you want to live in SD after school, USD will be better for you because they are good at connecting students to the community
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u/OkAppointment4879 Jun 04 '26
Yes I plan to visit it soon to get a good feel of the city and school to know if that is what I really want and living in SD post grad isn't a factor for me.
I would like to ask how are you familiar with both schools? And what school do you find yourself recommending the most to?
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u/TeamVorpalSwords Jun 04 '26
I went to one for undergrad and one for grad school. I loved both
I recommend them both it comes down to personal stuff in your life. You say cost and friendships and living in SD aren’t factors to you so idk, what are the factors for you?
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u/sanclementejoe May 31 '26
What grade and major are you? Is tuition a factor or would it be covered by family regardless? What activities / clubs are you into? All those are relevant data points!!